1. As a youth, my undying ambition was to become an astronomer, but I soon found words more to my liking than numbers.

2. I feel naked without my lipstick and earrings.

3. I once built a 5 ft. by 8 ft. N-gauge model railroad in an alpine theme, using chalet-like building models and German trains (yep--it was a lot of fun).

4. I love Sarah Palin--no apologies!

5. My No.1 personal hot button is fairness

6. I preferred the "Mod" look in high school--Jane Asher was a role model

7. My favorite color is red

8. My husband actually asked me to marry him the first time we met (but he meant it a little more later on)

I hope the sky will not fall if I skip the last two rules and instead invite anyone who has not already been tagged to participate. Please, join in! I am just days away from moving and in over my head, as usual. Amy, thanks for thinking of me.

From My Family Collections

Johnson/Larson Cabinet Card Photo Album A, 1880s-1890s

Click on the album cover to look inside.

This Victorian-era cabinet card photograph album had a lovely crimson velvet cover under the brass trim and clasp before it faded due to exposure and time. The album was owned by my great grandparents, Ole Martin and Malla Johnson, of Leonard Minnesota, both of whom died in 1948. Like many folks who knew their family and friends well, they did not take the time to mark who was in the images. As a result, there are many faces among the following family names to be indentifed: Basgaard, Johnson, Larson, Pederson/Peterson (Stallen, or Stalin), Strand, and more.

Johnson/Larson Cabinet Card Photo Album B, 1880s-1890s

Click on the album cover to look inside.

This is the second Victorian cabinet card photograph album owned by my great grandparents, Ole M. and Malla (Larson) Johnson of Leonard, Minnesota. The album side and back is covered in moss green velvet.

Pederson/Larson Photograph Album, 1880s-1900s

Click on the lead photo to look inside.

Included in this second family album are Victorian cabinet card photographs belonging to Karin (Larson) and her husband, Erik Stallen Pederson. Karin Pederson was an older sister of Malla (Larson) Johnson, owner of the first and second albums depicted. There are a few photographs present in both albums. Digitized photographs of the Pederson/Larson Album are courtesy of Nancy Larson of Warren, Minnesota.